Half of timing chain tensioner in oil pan

[Mysticcook]

Project, 86 ranger 2.9 4x4 got running just to see if salvagable (worth fixing). Finally got running sounds alright when cold! but very low oil pressure when warm 10 psi 50 psi cold measured with manual oil pressure gauage.

Ok take off oil pan and there is I would say 1 and 1/2 inch piece of timing chain tensioner in oil pan. quite a few small bits of plastic from piece of tensioner in oil pick up tube, quite possible part of problem. going to risk it anyway ofter a good cleaning. front main crankshaft bearing worn but not bad(no scoring) bottom of oil pan pretty clean of metals couple flakes of bearing but no gold.

my question what would cause this to break!! going to take apart saturday while motor is halfway out. Should prolly wait to post till then but keeping my fingers crossed thats all i need to replace.
1 worn beyond belief timing chain ,cam and crank gears.

Would rather not dump money into a 2.9. its got 26000 thinking x 200 so yea its tired. Much rather dump it into a 4.0 conversion or 302 but a 302 takes a little more time to pick up parts cheaply etc.

 

[IMenriched]

what caused it...hard to say without prior history...in all likelihood....it is just tired , something had to give.

Well...its really all about what you really want.
considering the damage described...to do it properly would require a full overhaul.
the whole sha-bag... remove... disassemble...clean and crack check everything... redeck the block and re line bore the main journal bearings, cam bearings. etc...etc

you can just throw some new parts at (just what is obvious) and hope for the best too

considering that you're plans are to up grade the power supply anyway....I be more inclined to press toward that goal...buy anther $300 running disposable vehicle, drive that if you need the transportation, until you get done what you are needing

 

[Mysticcook]

Yes Imenrich! had to think about what i wanted to do! Took off a rod bearing and looked!! not bad on, back of bearing a date of Jan 98. So somebody had rebuilt it. Which PO
had told me it had but unless they have a receit i dont put much truth to it cause by the time you figure out$$$$ it wasnt. Also the rod bearing and main bearing were 10 over so I am thinking it was reground which is tending me to think it is worth the effort right now!!!


So clutch was recent so Im going to replace the tensioner and hope for the best. If still no oil pressure then yes will convert someday. Oil pump $100 plus right now.

As to which side it was the actually timing tensioner not the guide.Looked at timing chain and for any cupping on gears or really sharp edges. Looked good
so i could replace main bearings for $60 but who knows if oil pressure will be good.

So for $40 shipped I am just replacing tensioner.Then put back together enough to check oil. Bolt oil pan back on slip tranny back together and the starter and c what happens.
Its a project so really no hurry on anything just time and my labor is cheap!!

Psychopete and all backyard mechanics, if your in no hurry Rockauto is great place to shop. your right Napa had one for $58 i think.But for a couple days to save $18 i can wait. Same part # same brand and if you have a particular brand you like they have multiple brands.